Description of Lee-Enfield for sale ... what does this mean to you?
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unwise11
Member
Little scratches? Nicks in finish?
I handle my Howa alot and there is nothing wrong with it..
I handle my Howa alot and there is nothing wrong with it..
theotherwaldo
Member
Go to this guy's site and see what a No.4MK2(F) looks like: http://www.mindspring.com/~rmgill/britkit/weapons/no4.html. I've got one in the safe. Someday I'll get around to getting the cosmoline off of it.
I guess my question is, would you expect a rifle that has been described in this way to have been fired or not? Does the word "unissued" (as it pertains to Lee-Enfields) carry with it the idea that it hasn't been fired, particularly if the fact that the rifle has been fired isn't mentioned in the description.
Thanks.
Thanks.
jpwilly
Member
Looked at the pics on GB and it looks nice enough to me. $810 is a little steep for my taste though.
hank327
Member
The rifle has been proof fired and function fired at the factory but other than that, it should not have been fired. Unissued means it was never issued to the troops so it should have been in storage since the mid-1950's. I have one of these that I bought when they appeared on the market back about 15 years ago. Mine was an unissued rifle and looks brand spanking new. I certainly didn't pay $810 for it though, more like $250 IIRC.
I'm certain you can find one now in the $500 range if you look around some.
I'm certain you can find one now in the $500 range if you look around some.
madcratebuilder
Member
It is a MkII rifle made after 1949 in Fazakerely. Sounds like one of the UF or PF series rifles that was been recently removed from original wrap. Probably made in 1955, the very end of English LE production.
Like these.
Jeff F
Member
Them is some pretty shooters there. What sight is that on the bottom one.
madcratebuilder
Member
Parker-Hale and AJ Parker made backsights for the the No4 rifles. Lot of engineering and very adjustable.
AJ Parker
Parker-Hale
AJ Parker
Parker-Hale
To answer the question: In my mind "un-issued" means only that it was never issued or used in military service.
About 12 years ago I bought a No.4 MKII that had never been issued, but had been fired by its previous owner.
I would not myself figure un-issued means un-fired, as a descriptor.
On the No.4 MKII specifically, if it's described as "Un-Issued In Original Wrap", I'd assume unfired.
Denis
About 12 years ago I bought a No.4 MKII that had never been issued, but had been fired by its previous owner.
I would not myself figure un-issued means un-fired, as a descriptor.
On the No.4 MKII specifically, if it's described as "Un-Issued In Original Wrap", I'd assume unfired.
Denis
Jeff F
Member
Yes you are right. They would have only been fired at the factory. I know where two in the mummy wrap are right now for sale but they are pricey. I got real lucky on the MK2 I got a few years ago, it had been unwrapped and cleaned up but not shot. I got to put the first round through it.
I've got about six hundred rounds down range now and its getting more accurate the more I shoot it. I've had it out at the 1000 yard range in Washoe a couple times but it really needs a windage adjustable rear sight. They sure are nice shooting rifles.
I've got about six hundred rounds down range now and its getting more accurate the more I shoot it. I've had it out at the 1000 yard range in Washoe a couple times but it really needs a windage adjustable rear sight. They sure are nice shooting rifles.
XxWINxX94
Member
I wouldn't quite go as far to say is has been "unfired" those old rifles HAVE to have been fired, either at the factory, or by a previous owner. Only way you could get one even close to being "unfired" is picking one out of storage, but I think that would still have to be tested by the factory.
That's likely exactly the case here though. There were a bunch of #4 Mk II Enfields still in the mummy wrap from long term storage surplused out and sold about 10 or 15 years ago. They were literally put right into storage straight from the factory with only a factory test firing.
They show up from time to time and, if they are still in the wrap, you know they are "unfired" except for the handful of rounds at the factory. When unwrapped you have to take the owner's word as to whether he fired it or not after unwrapping it.
It's pretty cool to have a 50 + year old military rifle that was never issued and never fired outside of the factory.
Faz55
Member
Lee Enfield no 4 MK II
I recently acquired a no 4 MK II Lee Enfield made in Fazakerley, Liverpool 1955. The rifle is in absolutely pristine condition and had never been fired, all of the serial numbers match including the bayonet, and the stock made from gleaming beech was totally unmarked. I had the rifle checked by a gunsmith to verify it was still ok to shoot. I have put about 200 rounds through it since at the range and its accuracy is formidable. I am originally from the UK but have lived in the States for the last twenty years. Oh yes, by the way I paid $250 for the rifle.
I recently acquired a no 4 MK II Lee Enfield made in Fazakerley, Liverpool 1955. The rifle is in absolutely pristine condition and had never been fired, all of the serial numbers match including the bayonet, and the stock made from gleaming beech was totally unmarked. I had the rifle checked by a gunsmith to verify it was still ok to shoot. I have put about 200 rounds through it since at the range and its accuracy is formidable. I am originally from the UK but have lived in the States for the last twenty years. Oh yes, by the way I paid $250 for the rifle.
. I'll ask the mods to close the thread.Ignition Override
Member
A buddy had a mint example at a Memphis gun show (with bayonet) about six months ago. He wanted $900, and I have no idea whether it sold, or the price.
Either this guy or the previous owner had removed all of the cosmoline.
Another example which was near-mint (one small cut in the wood) was in "Al's Guns" over a year ago, and is a very small shop on Summer Ave, if it's still in business. This rifle had the matching blond cheek piece, but don't know whether all such work was done at the factory.
Either this guy or the previous owner had removed all of the cosmoline.
Another example which was near-mint (one small cut in the wood) was in "Al's Guns" over a year ago, and is a very small shop on Summer Ave, if it's still in business. This rifle had the matching blond cheek piece, but don't know whether all such work was done at the factory.
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